Ethan spent the rest of the day in a haze, barely paying attention in class. His mind kept replaying Lena's words.
"You're waking up, Ethan. And I bet you have no idea what's happening to you."
How did she know? Was she like him? Could she see what he was becoming?
By the time the final bell rang, his heartbeat had settled into a steady rhythm—not of fear, but of anticipation.
The Meeting Place
Lena had told him to meet her behind the old gym, a part of the school barely used anymore. As he approached, he noticed how quiet it was. Too quiet.
She was already there, leaning against the brick wall with arms crossed.
"You came," she said, watching him closely.
"You knew I would," Ethan replied.
Lena's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Yeah. I figured your instincts would push you here."
Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You keep talking like you know what's going on with me. So why don't you stop being cryptic and just tell me?"
Lena tilted her head, studying him. "Alright. But first—"
Before he could react, she moved.
One second she was standing still, the next she was in front of him, faster than any human should be. She struck, aiming for his ribs.
His body reacted on its own.
He dodged. Easily.
Not just dodged—he predicted her move before she even made it.
Lena grinned. "Good. You're already tapping into it."
Ethan's chest rose and fell rapidly. "What the hell was that?"
"A test," she said, stepping back. "To see if your goblin side is waking up properly."
His stomach twisted. "Goblin?"
Lena nodded. "Half-goblin, to be exact. And you're not the only one."
Ethan's mind reeled. His entire life, he had been nothing—a loser, a nobody. Now, in just two days, he had gone from being invisible to... this.
Half-goblin.
"You're lying," he muttered.
Lena raised an eyebrow. "Am I? You already know something inside you has changed. Your senses, your strength, the way people are starting to react to you." She leaned in slightly. "You've felt the hunger, haven't you?"
His body stiffened.
The hunger.
That strange, growing craving he didn't want to acknowledge.
Lena sighed. "You're lucky I found you before it got worse. If you don't learn to control it... it'll control you."
Ethan swallowed hard. He wanted to call her crazy. He wanted to walk away and pretend none of this was happening.
But he couldn't.
Because deep down, he knew she was telling the truth.
And he had to know more.
"Alright," Ethan said. "Teach me."
Lena's smirk returned. "Good. Because we don't have much time."
"Time for what?" Ethan almost asked.
But before he could, a new scent hit him—strong, metallic, and thick in the air.
Blood. Nearby.
And whoever it belonged to... wasn't alone...